Dorothy Swann met Terry McAuliffe many years before they married. It was while her father, Richard Swann was President Jimmy Carter’s finance chairman in Florida for the 1980 elections. Terry was also working on the campaign, and was sent to Orlando, and stayed at the Swann home. Dorothy had just turned sixteen. She has said that at the time he was like an older family friend, but her mother must have been psychic as she told her father she thought that those two might some day get married.

Terry and Dorothy began dating while she was attending Catholic University, studying political science.From there, she went on to attend law school at Georgetown University. She worked as a banking and finance lawyer. They got engaged in 1987. Dorothy, who’s father was a Methodist, converted to Catholicism. Rumors flew around that Mr. Swann tried to get the Pope to marry them, but the truth is they were married by a minister in Orlando in 1988. He did get the Pope to bless her engagement ring though!

They have been married for 25 years now, and have five children, Dori, Jack, Mary, Sally and Peter, ranging in ages 11 to 22. Dorothy has been very active in Terry ‘s political career, especially in his present bid for the governor’s seat in Virginia, where they have lived for over 20 years.They are both practicing Catholics, and belong to St. Luke’s Parish in McLean, Virginia. Their children attended Potomac School. Dorothy’s birthday is on May 2.

Although Dorothy does not enjoy the media attention, she is very comfortable at campaign events. While she’s on the campaign trail, she manages to keep things running smoothly at home. She supports Knock Out Abuse Against Women, and serves as Emeritus Trustee of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among other causes.

Lately, Republicans have been using statements Terry made in his autobiography, What a Party to show him in a bad light. One of these statements was to the effect that Dorothy has a great life as long as her credit card bills are paid in full and that she doesn’t know how much money he has.This was just one of many anecdotes in the book that were not very flattering to Terry as a husband.

But Dorothy McAuliffe responded in a statement Friday, saying she was “surprised” that Republicans had “latched” onto the anecdotes. “Terry and I had a lot of fun writing the book; it was a great opportunity to relive some of the experiences we’ve had in our over 25 years together. She went on to say “Terry is a wonderful husband and devoted father.”

I’m sure we can all agree, whatever our politics, that Dorothy is a great wife and wonderful mother!